Active clinical trials for "Retinitis"

Transcorneal stimulation may enable neurons to survive degeneration processes via enhanced secretion of neurotrophic substances and direct stimulation of neurons.

To determine whether supplements of vitamin A or vitamin E alone or in combination affect the course of retinitis pigmentosa.

Retinitis pigmentosa is a genetically determined disease consisting of progressive centripetal retinal degeneration starting in the rods outer segments. Its prevalence is 1:4000 people and is the fourth most common blinding disease in Israel in 2004 [7% of all blindness]. The investigators tried to treat a non-progressive form of the disease [Fundus Albipunctatus] by oral therapy of the food supplement made from alga Dunaliella bardawil composed of approximately 50% 9-cis β-carotene. The alga Dunaliella bardawil accumulates high concentration of β -carotene when grown under appropriate conditions. The β -carotene of the alga is composed of approximately 50% of all-trans - β carotene and 50% 9-cis β -carotene. The 9-cis β -carotene has shown to be a precursor of 9-cis retinoic acid both in-vitro in human intestinal mucosa and in-vivo in a ferret, perfuse with 9-cis b-carotene. The night vision, as measured objectively by electroretinography (ERG) more than doubled in six patients tested. The visual field was also improved significantly.

To provide oral ganciclovir to patients who require maintenance for control of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis, but who lack patent permanent central venous access for long-term administration of intravenous drugs.

The study will perform UC-MSCs and CM transplantation. The first group will be injected by UCMSC+NaCl. the 2nd group will be injected by UC-MSC+CM. the 3rd group will be injected by CM. Each group consists of 6 subjects. all groups will be transplanted via peribulbar route. the dosage of UC-MSC is 1 million cells for each subject. All groups will be observed until 6 months.

This is a Randomized Controlled Trial to study the role of Capsular Tension Ring in patients with Retinitis Pigmentosa

Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) patients are interested in trying alternative therapies to attempt to slow, halt or reverse the retinal disease process, and claim success with some approaches such as acupuncture, but this potential treatment has not been put to the test of objective, rigorous scientific study conducted in western society. In this pilot study, the investigators aim to evaluate an acupuncture treatment tailored to the RP population for its feasibility to improve visual function, specifically visual field and dark adaptation. The study results may provide a basis for eye care providers' recommendations to RP patients regarding whether to consider acupuncture as a potential treatment modality. If our hypotheses regarding improvements in vision beyond typical test variability are supported, our future research goals include the conduct of a larger clinical trial with involving randomization and a placebo control for acupuncture in RP.

This study will collect blood and DNA samples from patients with inherited eye diseases to be used in research to identify genetic factors responsible for these conditions. In recent years, nearly 500 genes that contribute to inherited eye diseases have been identified. Disease-causing mutations are associated with many eye diseases, including glaucoma, cataracts, strabismus, corneal dystrophies and a number of forms of retinal degenerations. As a result, gene-based therapies are being pursued to treat eye genetic diseases that were once considered untreatable. The National Ophthalmic Genotyping Network (eyeGENE ) is creating a national tissue repository to further advance genetic research on inherited eye disease, while at the same time providing clinically-useful information back to patients and physicians who request it.. Physicians in collaborating institutions will recruit patients to participate in the study. Patients will provide a blood sample and undergo a standard eye examination. The blood sample and clinical information will then be sent to the NEI for testing, processing and storing in the tissue repository. Patients are given the option to receive results back and/or to be re-contacted in the event of future clinical studies. Information supplied to the testing laboratories includes a unique identification number, the patient gender, and the patient date of birth. The stored samples will be made available to researchers along with information about the patient's disease, but without patient identifiers.

The purpose of this trial is to determine whether lutein in addition to vitamin A will slow the course of retinitis pigmentosa.

To evaluate whether immune globulin and ganciclovir (DHPG) results in faster initial response as compared to DHPG alone. To evaluate whether immune globulin and DHPG gives longer duration of remission than DHPG alone (i.e. 16 weeks). To evaluate the toxicities of the combination of DHPG and immune globulin as compared to those of DHPG alone. To evaluate if there is a difference between the two groups in regard to survival, immune functions, and CMV viremia and viruria.